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Home Carbon Nanotubes
Carbon Nanotubes

Introduction: Carbon Nanotubes

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Carbon Nanotubes are being introduced for their enhanced performance. These include thermal and electrical conductivity, structural strength and stiffness, and thermal stability.  A recently performed test showed that the Tek-MixTM process can disperse and percolate carbon nanotubes such that a 3½ % carbon nanotube loading can be used in pure HDPE, versus typical levels of 7% (shown by the arrow in the graph). It is difficult to disperse CNT's in HDPE; thus, high loadings are normally required to compensate for incomplete dispersion.  As reported in Bayer literature, typical CNT dispersions have a large agglomerate size, such as shown below for Baytubes C 150P.  The objective is to turn 750 µm  particles, as received, into a network of fine nano fibers of diameter 1 to 2 nm.

For more information about this program and CNT materials in general,  click here..


Tek-MixTM - Extensional / Elongational Flow Mixing
The Next Step in Mixing & Blending




 

Carbon Nanotubes

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New Data:  CNT Concentration Reduced to 3.5%



New tests show that 3.5% Carbon Nanotube (CNT) direct mixing in HDPE and processed with the Tek-MixTM mixer achieves equivalent electrical conductivity as a compound prepared using a masterbatch made in a twin-screw compounder, and let down to 7% on an optimized twin-screw extruder. No Masterbatch step is required. 50% less CNT required. This reduces material cost  by over $5 per pound of product made; at a 100 lbs per hour rate, that equates to over $2 million annual savings from reduced carbon nanotube usage! *  

Why settle for this? 
When you can have this?
TEM Twin-Screw Product
TEM Tek-MixTM Product
The photos and graph above compare the morphology of Baytubes C150P carbon nanotubes mixed with Basell Hostalen 9555 HDPE. The Tek-MixTM product shows improved orientation and uniform blending, required for percolation.

* Assumes CNT cost of € 200.00/Kg; Resin cost of € 2.00/Kg; 7%  loading reduced to 3.5% loading;  5,000 hours / year operation at a throughput rate of 50 Kg/ hour.
 


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From the Stratek Reading Room...

"The Materials Analyst, Part 98:  A Tour of the World of Nylon-Part 1"
An Article by Michael Sepe, published in Injection Molding Magazine - July 2008

Stratek has done considerable experimentation and material processing involving Polyamides (Nylon).  Therefore this article caught our eye when we found it in the July Issue of Injection Molding Magazine.   We think it addresses both the basics and some more advanced information concerning the differences in the chemistry and structure of these two important materials.

Read more...